Number of Baptisms in the New Testament
The number of baptisms in the New Testament is a topic of debate among Christian traditions. The disagreement centers on whether there is one baptism or multiple baptisms.
Some traditions interpret the New Testament as teaching that there is only one baptism. According to this view, John's baptism, the baptism of Jesus' disciples, and Christian baptism are distinct, with Christian baptism being the fulfillment of the others [4]. This perspective is supported by passages such as Acts 19:1-7, where Paul rebaptizes disciples who had received John's baptism. The early church fathers, such as Hippolytus and Cyprian, also argued against rebaptism, suggesting that those who had been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ should not be rebaptized [6].
In contrast, other traditions understand the New Testament to describe multiple baptisms. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, for example, distinguishes between water baptism and Spirit baptism, citing 1 Corinthians 12:13, which speaks of being "baptized by one Spirit into one body" [7]. This view holds that water baptism is a symbolic act that represents the believer's identification with Christ, while Spirit baptism is the actual incorporation into the body of Christ.
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, on the other hand, sees baptism as a sacrament that signifies regeneration or new birth, as stated in the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion [8, 5]. According to this understanding, baptism is not just a symbolic act but an effective means of grace that brings about spiritual transformation.
Despite these differences, all traditions agree that baptism is a significant aspect of Christian initiation and is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles [1, 3]. The New Testament accounts of baptism, such as Acts 2:41, demonstrate its importance in the early Christian community.
The divergence in interpretations stems from differing hermeneutical commitments and prior doctrinal premises. For instance, the Reformed tradition tends to emphasize the symbolic nature of baptism, while the Eastern Orthodox tradition sees it as a sacrament that conveys spiritual reality [9]. Understanding these underlying commitments is essential to grasping the various positions on the number of baptisms in the New Testament.
The early Christian practice of baptism is closely tied to Jewish ablutions and the baptism of John the Baptist [2]. The New Testament writers drew on these antecedents to shape their understanding of Christian baptism, which was instituted by Jesus himself (Matthew 28:19-20) [1]. The significance of baptism in the New Testament is thus deeply rooted in its historical and theological context.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Baptism, Christian — An ordinance immediately instituted by Christ (Matt. 28:19, 20), and designed to be observed in the church, like that of the Supper, "till he come." The words "baptize" and "baptism" are simply Greek words transferred into English. This was necessarily done by the translators of the Scriptures, for no literal translation could properly express all that is implied in them. The mode of baptism can in no way be determined from the Greek word rendered "baptize." Baptists say that it means "to dip," and nothing else. That is an incorrect view of the m”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Baptism — It is well known that ablution or bathing was common in most ancient nations as a preparation for prayers and sacrifice or as expiatory of sin. In warm countries this connection is probably even closer than in colder climates; and hence the frequency of ablution in the religious rites throughout the East. Baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is the rite or ordinance by which persons are admitted into the Church of Christ. It is the public profession of faith and discipleship. Baptism signifies-- + A confession of faith in Christ; + A cleansi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Baptism — As administered by John -- Mt 3:5-12; Joh 3:23; Ac 13:24; 19:4. Sanctioned by Christ's submission to it -- Mt 3:13-15; Lu 3:21. Adopted by Christ -- Joh 3:22; 4:1,2. Appointed an ordinance of the Christian church -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15,16. To be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Mt 28:19. Water, the outward and visible sign in -- Ac 8:36; 10:47. Regeneration, the inward and spiritual grace of -- Joh 3:3,5,6; Ro 6:3,4,11. Remission of sins, signified by -- Ac 2:38; 22:16. Unity of the Church effected by -- 1Co 12:13; Ga 3:27,2”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Baptism, John's — Was not Christian baptism, nor was that which was practised by the disciples previous to our Lord's crucifixion. Till then the New Testament economy did not exist. John's baptism bound its subjects to repentance, and not to the faith of Christ. It was not administered in the name of the Trinity, and those whom John baptized were rebaptized by Paul (Acts 18:24; 19:7).”
- Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 3:21: Jesus - being baptized - See on Mat 3:16, Mat 3:17 (note).”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — ARGUMENT.--THAT THEY WHO HAVE ONCE BEEN WASHED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, OUGHT NOT TO BE RE-BAPTIZED. (part 21): of living water;"[7] which rivers were manifested first of all in the Lord's passion, when from His side, pierced by the soldier's spear, flowed blood and water, so that the one side of the same person emitted two rivers of a different kind, that whosoever should believe and drink of both rivers might be filled with the Holy Spirit. For, speaking of these rivers, the Lord set this forth, signifying the Holy Spirit whom th”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized,.... This is to be understood not of water baptism; for the apostle says not in one, and the same water, but "by", or "in" one Spirit, are we all baptized; the baptism of water, and of the Spirit, are two different things; see Mat 3:11. Besides, all that are baptized in water, are not baptized in or by the Spirit, as the case of Simon Magus, and that of others, show; nor does water baptism incorporate persons into the church of Christ; neither into the invisible church, which is the body of Christ, and here meant; nor into”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 269: Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of Regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be reta”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Spirit had flown down before the water was applied, the Apostle did not stay at this point, but, as though the water were necessary and not superfluous, observe what he says; “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” ( Acts x. 47 .) What then is the use of the water? This too I will tell you hereafter, when I reveal to you the hidden mystery. 669 669 [as it is allowed me from above] Morel. There are also other points of mystical teaching connected with the matter, but for the pre”